Process to regenerate and improve the structure of lead electrodes of secondary batteries.



ERASMUS HENRY NAYnoR, or LoNnoN; ENGLAND.

PROCESS TO REGENERATE AND IMPROVE THE STRUCTURE OF LEAD ELECTRODES OF SECONDARY BATTERIES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ER'AsMUs HENRY NAYLOR, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 319 Cavendish road, Bedford Hill, London, England, have invented a certain new and useful: Process to Regenerate and Improve the Structure of Lead Electrodes of Secondary Batteries; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appert-ains to make and use the same.

My invention consists of a process by which the structure of the active material of the electrodes of secondary batteries can be generally improved or by which worn electrodes can be renovated.

My process consists in treating the active material with a compound of sulfur and a halogen, which, penetrating the pores of the material, is uniformly assimilated throughout the mass, this assimilation causes the bulk of the n1 .terial to expand so that the vacant spaces between the material and the grid, and also the interstices in the massitself are filled up. I then eliminate the assimilated matter and form the plate in any usual manner.

According to one method of carrying out.

my process, the defective electrodes are thoroughly dried in. any convenient manner, as by heating, and, if necessary, are brushed to remove any adhering matter. This portion of the process is unnecessary when new electrodes are under treatment. The electrodes are then immersed in a liquid or vaporous bath of sulfothionyl chlorid, (also known as monochlorid of sulfur) (S G1,), which is energetically absorbed by the active material with generation of heat. The electrodes are then subjected to heat in an oven the temperature of which can Specification of'Letters Patent. Patented :May 14, 1912, Application filed December 27, 1910. Serial N 0. 599,394. I

be regulated not to exceed the melting point of the electrodes. The active material is then reduced electrolytically in a bath of dilute sulfuric acid. The plates are then removed from the bath and Washed in. water, when they can be formed in anyusual manner.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in What mannerthe same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is':- 1. The herein described process of treating electrodes for secondary batteries which consists in subjecting an electrode to the action of a compound of sulfur and a halogen.

2. The herein described process of treating electrodes for secondary batteries, Which consists in subjecting an electrode to the action of 'a compound of sulfur and a halogen and then treating the electrode.

3. The herein described process of treating electrodes for secondary batteries, which consists in subjecting an electrode to the action of a compound of sulfur and a halogen, then heating the electrode, and then treating it with a bath of acid.

4. The herein described process of treating electrodes for secondary batteries which consists in subjecting an electrode to the action of sulfothionyl chlorid.

5. The herein described process of treating electrodes for secondary batteries which consists in subjecting an electrode to the action of sulfothionyl' chlorid, heating the electrode, treating it with acid, washing the electrode and then forming it.

London 13th December, 1910.

ERASMUS 1 IENRY NAYLOR.

Witnesses:

Joan E. BoUsrmLo, C. G. REDFERN. 

